President Donald Trump speaking at Cameron LNG Export Terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana, in 2019. (Scott Clause/USA Today)
However, South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, the bill’s Senate sponsor, told Fox News Digital it is critical for various reasons, including national security.
"If you want your prices to go down, your production has to go up," Scott said.
"I remember back to 2014 when I was still on the Energy Committee [...] we had the Lithuania Minister of Energy come before our committee and talk about exporting LNG as a way of sidelining Russia and reducing our dependence on adversaries," he added. "I'll never forget that hearing when he was there, it really stuck with me."
Texas Republican Rep. August Pfluger, the legislation's House sponsor, shared the potential long-term benefits will "tremendously impact" his central and west Texas district, as the state "is the leading LNG exporter in the United States."
"This bill will support thousands of new jobs in Texas, from construction and engineering to operations at export terminals along the Gulf. Furthermore, it will give natural gas producers in Texas a more competitive edge in international markets, ensuring that Texas remains a global energy leader," he said.
The Trump administration appears to be excited about the prospect of expanding LNG efforts domestically, as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright both visited a facility in Louisiana last week amid an $18 million investment from its owner, Venture Global. The U.S. currently leads the world in natural gas creation, according to the Department of Energy.
A tank car written with "On the move for you: LNG by rail" can be seen before loading at the Elbehafen port in Brunsbuettel, Germany, on April 25, 2016. (Bodo Marks/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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"Our goal, of course, is making sure that in the future, no matter who's in office, that we have in place something that tethers the production to FERC and hopefully avoids the disaster that we saw under the Biden administration – their ability to manipulate the Department of Energy," Scott added.
Last year, legislation under the same title passed the House but did not make it to former President Joe Biden's desk.
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-take-crucial-step-unlock-american-energy-reverse-biden-era-disaster